See Finland

Here are two songs I like because of the lyrics and strong feeling: 

Stella - Aamun kuiskaus

Vesterinen yhtyeineen - Kukaan ei koskaan

Just a couple of weeks ago first flowers got courage to show up.

This is what the see looks like right now:

It's still very cold, but summer is coming soon!

I love jumping on an icy puddle, the sound of ice breaking makes me feel like a kid again.

Let me share with you two abolutely beautiful voices and faces.

 She is Johanna:

And she is Jenni:

I wish them all the best with their career!

Today it was a day to decorate catkins and wishing everyone a healthy future. Kids go form house to house dressed up as witches. They give away these decorated sticks. But not for free - you are supposed to give something as a swap. Maybe some chocolate eggs or small amount of money. Here are the sticks before and after decoration:

Time to share some more music with you. I very much like this song, though video isn't my favourite. What do you think about it?

Che Guevara

Happoradio | MySpace-musiikkivideot

We have had three months of snow now. Day before yesterday this years record of lowest temperature was made, when it was -41,3 degrees Celsius in Kuhmo, Eastern Finland. Last time Helsinki had this much snow was in 1982. This is what the nature looks like just 5 minutes walk from main railway station in Helsinki:

Last weekend we spent "laskiainen" on Möskäri Hill together with friends and many other people enjoying the weather. First you climb up:

...and the you come down.

Afterwoods you are supposed to drink hot juice and eat some pea soup and buns. We did all that :-)

Porvoo is a small town located on South Coast of Finland. I love it's old buildings and unique boutiques.

River flows middle of the town offering people a possibilty for many outdoor hobbies - like ice fishing.

Art made by nature: icy window.

Lovely ice decoration with candle and tulips.

This is what it looks like here on the mornings when I go to work. Spooky or beautiful?

One of the main sights in Helsinki is the snow white Helsinki Cathedral situated on the heart of the city.

On the walking distance you can find The Precidential Palace, Market square and Uspensk Cathedral. And you can walk to the seaside and look at the big boats coming from Sweden and Estonia. And wonder how can the ducks survive swimming in icy water.

I spent last days of 2009 and first days of 2010 at Himos, skiing centre in Middle Finland in a small town called Jämsä. We had rented a small cottage together with friends just to spend time together. First we rented the downhill skis for kids:

And soon adults got the change to ski by themselves too. Although there was not much light, views were nice.

Temperature was about -11 degrees and there was plenty of snow. Can you ski? Would you like to try it?

I think that the last time I skated was in winter 2005. Here are my skates:

And there we go:

Here is a christmas cookie decorated by 4 year old Samuel. Isn't that well done?

From my brother's balcony we suddenly noticed too deers walking slowly on the field. They are just beautiful.

Kitchen is fullfilled with the scent of home made christmas cookies, waiting to be decorated. Anyone want to have a taste?

Last weekend I visited Tampere, which is a city famous of it's textile industry companies. I found lots of interesting boutiques and other lovely things to see. This is the main street of Tampere - Hämeenkatu:

Behind the statue you can see famous Finlayson factories.

At the front of the church there was a nice Christmas Market place.

These unique hats were sold at Tallipiha.

The ice sculpture in it's evening glory:

These are my favourite Christmas flowers:

When I came back home, everything had changed to white:

It's so beautiful. Today it's the darkest day of the year in Finland. After this every day will be a little bit longer. That feels good.

Yesterday I met one very important character - Joulupukki:

And saw many beautiful but more or less useless items.

While waiting for white Christmas, let's listen to a wonderful singing group called Rajaton.